Life Is Strange: Double Exposure is a slice-of-life meets supernatural mystery adventure game that puts us back in the shoes of Max Caulfield, a young woman with extraordinary abilities behind a camera lens and within the fabric of time. There are numerous mysteries to uncover at Caledon University, and our walkthrough will help you find them all.
Life is Strange Double Exposure Chapter 1 Walkthrough – All Choices
In the following walkthrough for each chapter, we’ve provided a concise and sequential guide for all objectives, collectibles, important dialogue choices (including possible consequences), and Snapshot locations.
Nebula Bowling Alley
- Interact with the bookshelf to pass by it
- Take a picture of the liquor bottles on the bar counter
- Follow Safi and take a picture of the “face” on the wall
- Complete the Bowling Lanes Snapshot option nearby
- Pull down the red tarp hanging on a ceiling fixture
- Grab the Mini Mascot toy from the display
- Go to the back stairwell and complete the Bowling Shoes Snapshot option
- Use the shoe shelf under the broken stair railing to climb to the second floor
- Go through the red door at the end of the hallway
- Walk over to the Nebula Mobile ahead and take a photo of it
Snapping Turtle Bar
- Respond to Amanda’s offer to hang out
- Important Choice: When Safi asks about Chloe Price, choose either dialogue option. It will have the following consequences:
- ‘We broke up’ – This will infer that Max and Chloe grew apart, despite the events at Arcadia Bay. Max’s mementos of Chloe will differ with this dialogue option, and there will be old texts from Chloe on Max’s phone.
- ‘She died’ – If you choose this, Chloe will in fact be dead, regardless of events during the first game. Max’s mementos of Chloe will differ with this dialogue option, and she’ll have old texts from Joyce and Victoria instead.
- Find topics of interest for Amanda around the bar including:
- Her Misery Cult staff recommendation
- Her Family Photo
- Fix all of the upside-down paintings around the bar
- Examine all of the wall art
- The board of ‘Worst Pickup Lines’; get a suggestion from Safi for a new one
- The beers on tap to ask Amanda for a recommendation
- Collect Polaroid 1 (Reggie and Diamond) from the bar top back left of Reggie and Diamond’s table
- Vote on the Soup Poll board to the right of Reggie and Diamond’s table
- Talk to Amanda; decide whether you want the outing to be a date or as friends (will have consequences)
Astronomy Roof and Finding Safi
- Choose one of the three mugs offered for your drink (will have consequences)
- Check messages on Max’s phone
- Go to Moses and complete his Snapshot point
- Look into the telescope on the right for a Zen Moment
- Talk to Moses after about using a bottlecap to trick Safi into revealing her big news
- Decide whether to hide the bottlecap in a snowball, her bag, or her cigarette carton
- Go to Safi and complete his Snapshot point
- Talk to Safi who soon gets a phone call and leaves
- Follow the path toward the fountain
- Collect Polaroid 2 (Snowman) from the sidewalk before the fountain
- Complete the Owl Snapshot option
- Follow Safi’s footprints into the snow
Max’s Dorm and Reggie’s Box Puzzle
- Put on clothes at Max’s dresser
- Collect Polaroid 3 (destroyed Nebby plushie) from table by the window downstairs
- Clean up the horror movies, tissues, and memories box in the living room
- You can add the Arcadia Bay photos to Max’s photo wall upstairs
- Invite Amanda in
- When you take a photo of her, you may get to alter it with the ‘Double Exposure’ option
- Follow the path to the left and talk to Reggie
- Complete the first step of the Box Puzzle by looking at the Founder’s statue image, then the bird’s image; Reggie will give Max the box afterward
- Follow the path to the door on the far right near the Caledon statue and go inside
- Go through the door to the Admin building on your left
Admin Building
- Go straight down the hall; ‘Write’ a message on the Safi Board near Yasmin’s office
- Talk to Vinh who will ask you to retrieve a package
- Go talk to Gwen in the library; offer to pick the cabinet lock for her
- Max suggests there’s another copy in the library, but Gwen needs the special edition locked away
- Grab Vinh’s package in the mail room across the hall
- Go to the coffee machine in Vinh’s office and take the spoon
- Go back to the library and use the spoon to open the lock for Gwen
- Yasmin will ask if Safi seemed suicidal (will have consequences)
- Pick one of three pictures for Safi’s memorial
- Give the package to Vinh; accept or deny his flirtations
- Go straight down the hall to the Fine Arts Building
Fine Arts Building, Moses at the FAB Cafe, and Max unlocks new abilities
- Important Choice: Loretta attempts a smear campaign against Safi while threatening Max; choosing either dialogue option will have the following consequences:
- Answer her questions: Loretta will ask you if Safi “pissed somebody off” and force you to pick (or accuse) Yasmin, Gwen, or Vinh. Who you choose can potentially jeopardize your relationship with them, so choose carefully.
- Call her bluff: Loretta will go straight to Gwen and rat out Max for eavesdropping on her call, which will cause Gwen to distrust Max for the foreseeable future.
- Take an Abraxas Rose from the display
- Find a letter for “DGH” (aka Gwen) on the floor in the Mail Room; choose to either keep it or put it in Gwen’s mail slot
- Find a Zen Moment at the circular bench near the FAB
- Go to the FAB and ‘Look’ at Moses first (don’t ‘Speak’ to him)
- Go ask for Moses’ hot chocolate at the counter then bring it to him
- Choose to either ignore Lucas’ memorial speech or interrupt and give your own speech (will have consequences)
- Find Moses at a bench across the pond
- Use your new Pulse ability to follow “Other Moses” back toward the Caledon statue; use the Shift ability to interact with Safi
Life is Strange Double Exposure Chapter 2 Walkthrough
From this chapter onward, you need to make use of your Pulse and Shift abilities at every opportunity to explore the ‘Living’ and ‘Dead’ worlds (Safi is alive in the ‘Living’ world and dead in the ‘Dead world) and uncover all possible clues and collectibles.
Snapping Turtle
- Before exploring the bar, complete the Snapshot option of Safi and Yasmin
- Speak to Amanda
- Check the stage for the missing Cow Skull
- Go to the WC and Shift to Dead World
- Collect Polaroid 4 (Moses’ present) from the table in front of the turtle painting
- Speak to Amanda again
- Shift back to Living World
- Go and talk to Safi and Yasmin; Safi will show a photo of the Cow Skull thrown through her car windshield that’s missing a horn
- Grab the Step Ladder near the Krampus tree
- Shift back to Dead World
- Inspect the Cow Skull to find Lucas Colmenero’s signature on the intact horn
- Shift back to Living World
- Talk to Amanda about the Cow Skull
Vinh and Diamond at North Quad
- Speak to Vinh near the Calderon statue
- Follow the right path to the pergola and collect Polaroid 5 (Snowball Fight) from one of the tables (Living World)
- Complete a Zen Moment near one of the benches
- Talk to Diamond near the Abraxas Kids
- Run back to the Calderon statue area and Shift to Dead World
- Go back to the spot where the Abraxas Kids were standing and use Pulse to hear their conversation
- Shift back to Living World near the pagoda and go talk to Diamond again
- Follow the right path to the Snow David sculpture and complete the Snapshot point
- Talk to Vinh and choose whether or not to have a drink with him
- If you opt to do so, this opens a romance option with Vinh but may impact your relationship with Safi or Yasmin later.
- If you refuse, you’ll need another method to get the passcode to his phone
- Go inside the FAB building to investigate Lucas and Gwen
Lucas’ Briefcase and the Restraining Order
- Find and ‘Speak’ to Lucas near the FAB Cafe
- Find a Shift point nearby and Shift to Dead World
- Talk to Lucas again
- ‘Examine’ the Lucas Standee nearby
- Grab the Marker from the FAB Cafe counter
- ‘Vandalize’ the Lucas Standee (will have consequences)
- Inform Lucas about the vandalism
- Take his briefcase key while he’s distracted
- Shift back to Living World
- Open Lucas’ briefcase and inspect everything; Max will find a restraining order filed by Lucas against Safi
- Important Choice: Choose whether to send the photo of the restraining order to Safi or believe Lucas and delete it for his sake. Choosing either option will have the following consequences:
- Send Photo to Safi: Lucas will be angry, severely impacting his trust in Max going forward.
- Delete It: Lucas will be incredibly grateful and Safi won’t be told about the restraining order.
Gwen’s Office
- Go inside Gwen’s office
- Check the emails and calendar on her computer
- There’s an option to lower Loretta’s grade on her assignment on the desk
- Be aware that doing so may have repercussions later
- Water the plant near the fish tank
- Shift to Dead World
- Check Gwen’s emails on the computer again
- Check the Wall Calendar
- Read the handwritten note inside the book on Gwen’s desk
- Complete the Possum Bookend Snapshot point on the nearby bookshelf
- Shift back to Living World
- Check Gwen’s emails and calendar again
- Shift back to Dead World
- ‘Look’ at Gwen’s computer to find email about Safi’s book cancellation
- Leave the office
Cracking Vinh’s Phone
- Go to Vinh’s Office in the Admin Building while in Dead World
- Find Vinh on the couch and first complete his Snapshot option
- Talk to Vinh and choose to either “be sexy” or “don’t be sexy” (to entice details about his phone and Safi)
- If you choose to pass on a drink with him (honestly the better option), you’ll need to find another way to get his phone and the passcode to it. There are two ways to do this:
- Use the favor he owes you from Chapter 1 to get the passcode. You can then get to his phone in Living World.
- Save the favor for later (gets you an achievement) and talk to Living World Vinh for a hint about the passcode (the year a magician scientist died). Shift back to Dead World to ask Vinh about the magician, then head to the library to find the History of the Occult book on a shelf near the fireplace. Inside you’ll find the year 1952, which is your passcode.
- Shift back to Living World
- Go to Vinh’s desk, ‘Snoop’ then ‘Unlock’ his phone to find information
The Overlook and Gwen’s Flash Drive
- Shift to Living World to get past the cop at the entrance
- ‘Examine’ then pick up the “Sinister Candy” off the ground
- Shift back to Dead World to get past the fallen tree
- After the cutscene, Shift back to Living World to get past the police barricade
- Either accept or refuse the lit joint from Gwen (will have consequences)
- Important Choice: When Gwen attempts to burn the flash drive containing the security footage, choose whether to save it to help prove Max’s doppelganger theory, or let it burn in support of Gwen. Choosing either option will have the following consequences:
- Save the Footage: Gwen will be furious and leave the Overlook. She’ll lose trust in Max but you can still ask her about cancelling Safi’s book.
- Stand With Gwen: Gwen will appreciate Max’s support. You can ask her about cancelling Safi’s book but she still won’t divulge much.
- Collect Polaroid 6 (Gwen’s Tires) from the first bench on the left after Gwen leaves. (Living World)
- Shift to Dead World
- ‘Inspect’ the Tarp
- Choose whether to tell Loretta what Reggie saw. If you opt not to say, she won’t pry and Max’s relationship with Reggie will maintain. If you tell her, Reggie may distrust Max later on.
Breaking Into Moses’ Office and Constellation Puzzle
- Go around the corner and Shift to Living World
- Go inside Moses’ office and talk to him
- Shift back to Dead World in the kitchen area
- Grab the Allen Wrench from the center table
- Complete the Mural Snapshot option (go to the second floor for the angle and shot)
- Collect Polaroid 7 (Bitter and Sweet) from the table near Moses’ computer
- Shift back to Living World
- Give Moses the Allen Wrench
- Take the Key for his cabinet hiding spot
- Shift back to Dead World
- Use the Key on the same cabinet; find the “Under Safe” clue inside
- Shift back to Living World
- Ask Moses about the Safe; the clue alludes to a star called “Saiph” in the Orion constellation
- Shift back to Dead World
- Go upstairs and ‘Turn On’ the Star Projector
- Align the constellation map with the Gemini Mural
- Go downstairs and ‘Examine’ the Orion constellation to find the hiding spot
- When Detective Alderman enters, quickly Shift back to Living World
- Grab the Hawt Dawg ornament from the Christmas Tree and go up to the second floor
- Shift back to Dead World and use it to distract Alderman
- Shift back to Living World and go to the hiding spot
- Use your new ability to “teleport” the telescope parts
- Grab Safi’s Camera
- Important Choice: Choose whether to accept Alderman’s card to contact him about any evidence. Moses will witness what you decide. Choosing either option will have the following consequences:
- Accept: Agree to take Alderman’s card. Even if you still plan to avoid contacting him, Moses will think otherwise and be skeptical of your intentions.
- Refuse: Alderman will not be happy and remember your refusal to cooperate, but Moses’ trust in Max will improve.
Box Puzzle (Part 2) and the Dark Room
- Collect Polaroid 8 (Horror Movie Night) from the stereo cabinet in the living room
- Look for the Abraxas Puzzle Box on the kitchen counter
- To complete the second phase of the box puzzle, do the following:
- ‘Examine’ the Sense of Justice face on the box, which has a flap that can be opened if you complete the next puzzle
- Now ‘examine’ the side with the Constellation puzzle, where you can move four stars in four slot lines
- You need to align the stars into the Libra constellation, per the “scales of justice”
Slot | What to do |
---|---|
First Slot | Push star down twice |
Second Slot | Push star down twice |
Third Slot | Push star down once |
Fourth Slot | Push star down twice |
- Take the Dial that pops up afterward
- Place the Dial on the Abraxas Logo face
- You need to align the correct symbols per the Sense of Justice face
- Rotate the outer dial until the Scepter symbol is in the character’s left hand (your right); rotate the inner dial until the Shield symbol is in their right hand
- Once done, the box will open and reward you with an Abraxas Badge (and an achievement)
- Go into the Dark Room
Life is Strange Double Exposure Chapter 3 Walkthrough
Dark Room and Max Rewinds
- ‘Examine’ all the items on the table
- ‘Watch’ Gwen’s Flash Drive
- When prompted, use the appropriate buttons to focus on the photo and use Rewind
- Contend with Alderman’s surprise visit
The Overlook and Alderman’s Fate
- Go up to The Overlook
- Complete the Snapshot option of the snowdrop flowers
- Use your Shift and Pulse powers to convince Moses
- Important Choice: When Alderman accidentally touches his “other self” and pleads for help from Max, you can choose to either save yourself or help him. Choosing either option will have the following consequences:
- Save Yourself: TBD
- Help Alderman: Max attempts to pull Alderman out of the “void” but Moses intervenes and cuts him off, causing Alderman to disappear into the void, gone. Despite Max’s protest, Moses insists that nothing could have been done.
Meeting Gwen and Yasmin
- First collect Polaroid 9 (Release the Kra-Can!) from the table in the FAB Cafe area
- Go inside Gwen’s office and complete the Snapshot option at her Record Player
- Talk to Gwen about Safi and Maya
- Leave the office
- Shift to Living World
- Talk to Yasmin in the FAB Cafe
- Important Choice: Yasmin claims Safi never knew Maya, which is a lie. Choose whether to call Yasmin out for it, or play along to try and get more clues. Either option will have the following consequences:
- Call Her Out: TBD
- Go Along With It: Max will play along with Yasmin’s narrative to avoid suspicion, and Yasmin will ask Max to keep an eye on Safi and let slip that Vinh released a statement about Maya’s death.
- Talk to Amanda
- Head to the Admin Building to talk to Vinh
Vinh and Diamond
- Talk to Vinh in his office
- Shift to Dead World
- Talk to Diamond in the library after Vinh leaves
- Offer her dirt on Vinh
- Go back to Vinh’s office and collect Polaroid 10 (Sebastian the Hedgehog) from the coffee table
- Complete the Hedgehog Snapshot option at Vinh’s desk
- Shift to Living World
- Go back into Vinh’s office and use Pulse to listen in on Vinh and Diamond
- Talk to Living World Vinh; use one of your secrets to get him to crack about Maya
- Note: Your favor won’t work here because it’s the wrong timeline.
- Go talk to Lucas
Search Lucas’ Office
- Ask Lucas about Maya
- Leave the office and Shift to Dead World
- Go back into Lucas’ office
- Collect Polaroid 11 (Lucas’ Office) from the bookshelf
- Examine the bottom filing cabinet near the office door; check all documents for mentions of Maya
- Go to Lucas’ desk and Examine the Family Photo
- Rotate it to find a Key taped to the bottom
- Take the Key and use it on the golden Typewriter
- Take a photo of both Maya’s and Lucas’ writing
Snapping Turtle
- Collect Polaroid 12 (Acid Pink Concert) from the table near the Christmas tree
- Sit in the chair by the fireplace for a Zen Moment
- Speak to Reggie and Diamond
- Speak to Amanda
- Speak to Gwen to give her back the Flash Drive (if you saved it from burning in Chapter 2)
- Shift to Dead World
- Speak to Vinh
- Important Choice: During a game of ‘Smash or Pass’, Vinh will flirt with Max and lean in for a kiss. Choose whether to accept the kiss or “pass”. Either choice will have the following consequences:
- Kiss Vinh: If you accept the kiss, this can lead to a romance with Vinh.
- Pass: If you refuse the kiss, Vinh won’t take it personally and doesn’t compromise his growing friendship with Max.
- Talk to Reggie
- Shift back to Living World
- Leave the bar
Wrecked Dorm and Chasing Max’s Doppelganger
- Before going into the Dark Room, Shift to Dead World to collect Polaroid 13 (Don’t Drink and Drive) from a table in the living room.
- Go back to Living World and go inside the Dark Room
- While chasing “Other Max”, Shift to Dead World to get across the gap
- Use Pulse to track her footprints all the way to her hideout
- Shift back to Living World
- Confront Other Max who is soon revealed to be Safi
Life is Strange Double Exposure Chapter 4 Walkthrough
Confront Safi
- Change into dry clothes at Max’s Dresser
- Quickly Shift to Dead World and collect Polaroid 14 (Johnny Cakes) from the camera table in the living room
- Shift back to Living World and ‘Sit’ by the fireplace for a Zen Moment
- Confront Safi about everything
- Important Choice: Safi asks if Max is still willing to shoot her despite her attempts to stop it at all costs. Choose whether to agree or disagree. Either option will have consequences that include:
- Yes: Max implies that she’s willing to shoot Safi if it comes to that. This will leave Safi feeling unsure about trusting Max.
- No: Max implies that she wouldn’t shoot Safi, or at least hopes not. This reassures Safi and her trust remains unharmed.
Snapping Turtle Krampus Party and Operation Expose Lucas
- Speak to Gwen
- Speak to Reggie
- Shift to Dead World
- Before you talk to Moses, go to the table nearest the stage to collect Polaroid 15 (Krampus on Kampus)
- Speak to Moses
- Shift back to Living World
- Go to the Projector and ‘Tamper’ with it
- Once Reggie is distracted, use Pulse to listen to Moses’ set of instructions:
- Open the Control Hatch and turn the Switch to Manual
- Turn the Dial all the way left
- Talk to Living World Moses
- Shift back to Dead World and talk to Moses there
- Shift back to Living World
- Ask Safi for the chimney from her gingerbread house
- Shift back to Dead World
- Give Moses the intact chimney for his gingerbread house (also an achievement)
- Return to Living World
- Talk to Safi; to convince Lucas to stay she’ll shapeshift into Loretta
- Go help Safi with Lucas on the patio
- Important Choice: As things go sideways, Safi suggests shapeshifting into Vinh to divulge the truth on stage. Max insists she does it as herself. Either choice will have the following consequences:
- Go As Yourself: Safi goes on stage and tells the truth in front of everyone. The crowd boos Lucas off-stage and Safi is excited and relieved.
- Go As Vinh: TBD
- Shift to Dead World
- Go ‘Sit’ in the booth near the entrance for a Zen Moment
- Complete the Snapshot option with Moses and his gingerbread house
- Talk to Moses
- Shift back to Living World and talk to Moses
Find Safi in the storm
- Follow the path and collect Polaroid 16 (What the f***???) off the pergola table.
- Head up to the Overlook and confront both Safi and Yasmin
- Important Choice: Safi is compelled to shoot her mother for years of manipulation and lies and her powers grow increasingly unstable as the storm worsens. Choose whether to physically intervene or talk Safi down. Either option will have the following consequences:
- Rush Safi: TBD
- Talk Safi Down: Max will do her best to calm Safi down, but as Safi loses control of her powers again she accidentally shoots Yasmin in the shoulder. Max grabs Safi and takes out the photo of the owl, rewinding back to the night Safi was killed.
Life is Strange Double Exposure Chapter 5 Walkthrough
The Eye of the Storm
- Follow the path up to the Overlook
- Once in the North Quad follow the path until you see Diamond
- Go inside the FAB building, which brings you to the Astronomy Roof
- Collect Polaroid 18 (Hoo?) from the railing on the right side
- Talk to Moses
- Take a photo of Moses and Double Expose it to break him free of Safi’s power
Blackwell Academy and Nebula Bowling Alley
- Collect Polaroid 19 (Party w/ the new Bff!!!) from the bathroom wall
- Kick all the stall doors open until you end up in the Nebula Bowling Alley
- Find a way down to Lucas by Shifting to an alternate timeline
- Try to open the Darkroom door
- Examine Jefferson’s chair and then escape it
- Climb down the ladder by the window
- Shift back to the other timeline
- Take a photo of Lucas and Double Expose it to free him of Safi’s power
- Leave the Bowling Alley
Snapping Turtle, The Motel, and Back Again
- Shift to the other timeline
- Collect Polaroid 20 (Tell me about your telescope) from the center table
- Leave through the double patio doors which takes you to a motel
- Go through each motel room until you’re forced to rest briefly on a bed
- Get back up and push your way out back to the Snapping Turtle
- Go through the patio doors again to see Gwen
- Take Gwen’s photo and Double Expose it to free her from Safi’s power
Free of the Storm
- Important Choice: After multiple cutscenes, Safi finds herself invigorated by her power and encourages Max to join and support her in changing the world for the better (or worse). Choose whether to refuse to support her plan or agree to it. Either option will have the following consequences:
- Refuse: Max expresses her appreciation for Safi being alive and well, but professes she can’t join or support Safi, saying their powers obviously aren’t without consequences. Disappointed, Safi shapeshifts into “Other Max” and leaves.
- Agree: TBD
- Follow the path through the North Quad and ‘Sit’ on the bench for a Zen Moment
- Find and talk to Lucas
- Go to the Snapping Turtle
- Talk to everyone
- Complete Snapshots of Reggie and Vinh and then Diamond and Moses
- Talk to Moses
- Max opens up to everyone about her powers and the chapter ends
Life is Strange Double Exposure Endings Guide
There are two endings in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, and both are primarily influenced by the major decision you make in Chapter 5 with Safi.
There are also various outcomes for the game’s supporting characters (e.g. – Yasmin, Gwen, Loretta) that hinge on how you interact with them throughout the game and any decisions you make that otherwise affect them. You can witness those outcomes by talking to all of those characters after the storm in Chapter 5.
Ending 1 – Safi feels betrayed and recruits Diamond
You will receive this ending if you ‘Refuse’ to support Safi in the first half of Chapter 5 when she asks Max to stay by her side when she returns from her journey.
Safi will feel abandoned by Max, shapeshift back into “Other Max” out of spite, and leave Caledon alone.
After the credits, Diamond finds herself experiencing nosebleeds, revealing that she has powers of her own (though they aren’t explicitly shown). She panics and Safi suddenly appears behind her, offering another handkerchief and a chance to understand what’s happening to her. Diamond leaves with Safi and the scene ends.
Ending 2 – Safi trusts Max and recruits Diamond
You will receive this ending if you ‘Agree’ to support Safi in the first half of Chapter 5 when she asks Max to stay by her side when she returns from her journey.
Safi will feel relieved and continue to trust Max, giving her a hug before she leaves Caledon alone, as herself.
After the credits, Diamond finds herself experiencing nosebleeds, revealing that she has powers of her own (though they aren’t explicitly shown). She panics and Safi suddenly appears behind her, offering another handkerchief and a chance to understand what’s happening to her. Diamond leaves with Safi and the scene ends.
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